Glenorchy Things to Do

Along the right shore of McKenzie Lake there is an interesting and at times intriguing short hike to the monumental Split Rock. I imagine that after a rainfall, the path might be quite slippery so don't forget to bring good shoes along.

The following day, the trail takes you through dense vegetation. It starts with a short climb and sooner than you think, you get to Howden Hut where you can take a break or eventually stay, if planning on hiking the Greenstone/Caples tracks. It is then a short stroll to the end of the trail (The Divide).
This last day should take about 4-5.5 hours (12 km). At the end of the hike there is a shelter where you can wait for your pre-arranged transportation or hitch hike to your next destination. Milford Sound, one of the jewels of Fiordland National Park, is an obvious choice. It is a mere 30 minutes drive and there is no possible explanation for you to skip it (forgetting ultra-strength insect repellent being a border line case...).

Note that you can go from hut to hut much faster. In fact, I think the entire track can be done in one tough day by any fit tramper. The question, however, is, what's the point? This may be your last time hiking the Routeburn! Enjoy the views!!

One of the highlights of this tramp is the approach of superb Mackenzie Lake. As you first see it and start descending, you can hardly believe you will be spending the rest of the day at such pleasant location! Despite the water being on the chilly side (yes, plenty of snow around when I visited...), you can take a deep breath and jump into the lake without taking your favorite soap bar and shampoo, as the foam would remain for a long time...
This second day should take 4.5-6 hours (11.3 km).

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infotrack offer full day guided tours on the world famous Routeburn Trail, which is one of New Zealand's most stunning alpine walks and is located in the pristine Mt Aspiring National Park.

The guides will pick you up at 8am from your accommodation in Queenstown and drive you to the start of the walk not far from Glenorchy, which is about an hours drive away.

They were very informative throughout the day and shared a lot of interesting information about the history of the Routeburn Trail, including the wildlife and alpine beech forests. They also pointed out the sapplings that were used for making Gandalf's staff for the 'Lord of the Rings'.

You will cross many swing bridges to cross numerous stream, which the kids seemed to treat as an opportunity to test everyone's sense of balance by creating some serious wavy motions!

The trail takes you past many waterfalls, through native beech forests and up to the edge of the tree line up the mountain where we still found plenty of fresh, powdery snow.

The cost was NZ$175 per adult and included lunch, trail mix snacks and drinks. Your water bottle can be topped up at the many fresh water streams throughout the park.

Lake Sylvan is in the Dart Valley and is reached via a walk through beautiful beech forest where you will see a lot of native birds. The South Island Robins are very friendly and will virtually hop onto you if you sit still and don't get too excited. Lake Sylvan is at the end of the walk, which is actually part of the Routeburn Track I believe.

The Glenorchy walkway is on the north side of the township and passes through wetlands and round the Glenorchy "Lagoon". Part of the walkway is a plank boardwalk. If you time your walk right, you can take great photos of Mt Earnslaw over the "lagoon". I was a bit late in the day, so the haze has washed out my picture a bit, but you get the idea. There are also fine views of Mt Alaska (the big mountain behind Glenorchy).

Paradise is a dot on the map and this is what part of it looks like. The lake is called Diamond Lake and just to the right of frame is a rather grand looking house that dominates the valley. Paradise isn't a town, but rather a 'locality', consisting of a few farmers homes and lots of paddocks.

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Whether you just like horse riding through some stupendous mountainscenery or if you a a 'Lord of the Rings' fan, this ride takes you through some breathtaking vistas around Glenorchy.

You will find yourself in the woods of Lothlórien, passing through Amon Hen, views of the Wizard's Vale and the mighty peak of Methedras are simply stunning.

I had never ridden a horse before but I found the 2 hours in the saddle no hardship at all. But with the gorgeous scenery you wouldn't notice any discomfort anyway.

Our guide, Georgia, kept us suitably entertained with constant anechdotes of the various locations for 'The Lord Of the Rings' an more recently, 'Wolverine'. Although the commentary for the latter was more to do with her efforts at Hugh Jackman spotting ;).

The cost for this ride was NZ$165pp and worth every cent!

The Rees is one of two valleys just north of Glenorchy and each has differing features.

The Rees follows a dirt track narrow road into the valley across braided river flats and into beech forest before coming out onto alpine like flats.

Once the track ends, you need a 4WD to continue or walk a little to get a feel for the rugged and remote nature of the place. Further down the valley are the Lennox Falls and Mt Earnslaw.

It is not hard to why the area was chosen to portray "Middle Earth" in the epic movie "Lord of the Rings". Mt Earnslaw is infact known as Methedras in the Wizards Vale at Isengard. While the wild combination of water, trees, mountains, and glaciers provided director Peter Jackson with a perfect backdrop for Isengard at Nan Curunir, Lothlorien, Amon Hen, and Dunharrow.

There are a number of walking options in this valley.